Life was pretty great with Ana around. My partner and I could enjoy late nights out, sipping drinks with the kind of ease that only comes from having fantastic childcare. But as August approached, it was time for Ana to head back to school, which was a bummer for our social calendar. I quickly added her on Facebook and followed her on Instagram, promising to stay connected until summer rolled back around.
“Hey, can you come check this out?” my partner called a few weeks into October. I found him on the couch with the laptop, his brow furrowed in concentration. Curious, I walked over. “Look at this,” he said, swiveling the screen towards me.
There was Ana. Our Ana. On Facebook. Holding a drink. In front of a bong. Dressed in a crop top and shorts. Kissing both a girl and a boy simultaneously. #awkward.
While I was quick to hit “unfollow” to shield myself from this revelatory glimpse into a college student’s life, a recent article in Time mentions that high schoolers across the nation are eagerly following these unfiltered accounts—now primarily on Instagram—as a way to inform their college choices.
As one student explained to Time, “It’s like getting a real tour of the university from a student who isn’t being paid to show you around or share what the admissions office wants you to hear. It’s a genuine slice of college life, raw and unfiltered.”
If that thought sends a chill down your spine, you’re not alone. Yet, it’s actually quite clever. Since Instagram launched in 2010, the class of 2015 was the first to share their entire high school experiences online. Finding college students sharing their lives is simply the next logical step. How else can they figure out what students are really doing, where the best hangout spots are, who has the coziest dorms, and when’s the prime time for a night out (hint: Thursdays)?
Curious about how to discover such unofficial accounts? Begin by exploring a school’s official Instagram page, then dive into geotagged locations and school-specific hashtags. You’ll be rewarded with an avalanche of photos from real students. If that last part left you confused, perhaps it’s time to consider applying to college yourself. #justsaying
This article was originally published on April 9, 2015.
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In summary, social media, particularly Instagram, has become a crucial tool for high school students when deciding their college choices. By following real students, they gain an authentic look at campus life, which can influence their decision-making process significantly.